Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising and engagement strategies for prestigious independent schools.
- Company: Join a community-focused organisation prioritising integrity and holistic education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, exceptional pension scheme, and beautiful work locations.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by ensuring talented children access elite education.
- Qualifications: Proven fundraising success and strong emotional intelligence required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with a vibrant network of alumni and parent volunteers.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a proactive and commercially-minded Development Manager to lead the fundraising and engagement strategy for a prestigious group of independent schools. This is a high-impact, outward-facing role where you will be the face of a community, working directly with the Chief Operating Officer to build a sustainable legacy for future generations.
Why this role is different:
- Your primary focus is raising funds for bursaries, ensuring that talented children have access to an elite education regardless of their financial background.
- You will lead the long-term fundraising strategy and manage a dedicated Assistant to help you execute your vision.
- You will inherit a vibrant network of alumni and parent volunteers who are already deeply invested in the schools' success.
- Opportunity to join an organisation that prioritises integrity, warmth, and a holistic approach to education.
The Challenge:
As a self-starter, you will be responsible for ensuring the department is a high-performing, cost-neutral operation. Your goal is to ensure the philanthropic income at least exceeds the cost of the department, ensuring that every pound raised over those costs goes directly into the hands of students through bursaries.
What we are looking for:
- Proven Fundraising Success: Experience in securing individual gifts and building a robust donor pipeline.
- Emotional Intelligence: The ability to navigate senior stakeholders, alumni, and parent volunteers with diplomacy and warmth.
- Tech-Savvy: Experience with modern CRM systems; HubSpot experience is an advantage.
- Safer Recruitment: A meticulous approach to your professional history; we require a full, gap-free chronology.
The Benefits:
- Competitive salary of £46,000.
- Exceptional pension scheme with 10% employer and 5% employee contributions.
- The opportunity to work across one of two beautiful sites in London and Surrey.
Development Manager | Independent School in London employer: Direct Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Direct Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Manager | Independent School in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to alumni and parent volunteers from the schools you're interested in. They can provide insider info and might even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for education and fundraising during interviews. Share stories that highlight your emotional intelligence and how you've successfully navigated relationships with stakeholders in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be tech-savvy! Brush up on your CRM skills, especially if you have experience with HubSpot. Mentioning this in conversations can set you apart as a candidate who’s ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Manager | Independent School in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for education and fundraising shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in students' lives, so share your personal connection to the cause!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in fundraising and engagement. We’re looking for proven success, so don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements and how they align with our mission at StudySmarter.
Be Personable: This role is all about building relationships, so let your personality come through in your writing. Use a warm and engaging tone to demonstrate your emotional intelligence and ability to connect with diverse stakeholders.
Follow Our Application Process: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application experience. Make sure to double-check your application for any gaps in your professional history, as we value transparency and attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Direct Recruitment
✨Know Your Fundraising Facts
Before the interview, brush up on your fundraising achievements and be ready to discuss specific examples. Think about how you’ve successfully secured individual gifts in the past and how you can apply those experiences to this role.
✨Showcase Your Emotional Intelligence
This role requires a lot of interaction with stakeholders, alumni, and volunteers. Prepare to share stories that highlight your ability to connect with people and navigate complex relationships with warmth and diplomacy.
✨Familiarise Yourself with CRM Systems
Since tech-savviness is key, make sure you’re comfortable discussing modern CRM systems. If you have experience with HubSpot, be ready to explain how you’ve used it to enhance fundraising efforts or manage donor relationships.
✨Demonstrate Your Vision for Sustainability
Think about how you would approach building a sustainable fundraising strategy. Be prepared to discuss your ideas on creating a legacy for future generations and how you plan to ensure that every pound raised directly benefits students through bursaries.
